Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



Jui 15, 1930. F. HOWARD 1,770,699

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed 001;. 12, 1928 INVENTORI ,L .F. Ha WGJ'OC BY amt-W H 4 ATTORNEY Patented July 15, 1939 UM? star-Es QPATET earns-r. r- HOWARD, or nnsnwoon eonouen, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGHOR To rim p UNIOII SWITC & SIGNAL'COMEAH Y, OF flwLS v ALE,-PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- rron or PENNSYLVANIA RAILWAY-'1RAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS,

Application filedOctober 12, 1928. SerialNo. 312,034;

.larly my present invention relates to the trackway portion of such apparatus.

I will describe one form of railway trafiic controlling apparatus embodying my inven.

tion, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. 1

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic view illustrating one form ofapparahis-embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference" characters 1 and 1 designate the track rails of a stretch of railway track over which traffic normally moves inthe direction indicated by the arrow. These track. rails, are

divided by means of insulated joints 2 into a plurality of successive track sections, only oneof which, A-B, is shown complete in; the drawing. This track section is provided with a track transformer T, the secondary 3 of which is connected across therails adja cent theexit end of the section through the usual impedance 4. The primary 5 of transformer T is at times supplied with signaling current, and is at other times supplied with train controlling current, in a manner which will be described hereinafter. Track section AB is also provided with a track relay R 'which is connected across the rails adjacent the entrance end of the section. Relay R is responsive to the signaling current supplied to the rails, but is not responsive to the train controlling current supplied to the rails.

Associated with section A-B is an ap proach relay C which is supplied with current from a battery E over a back contact 6 of track relay R whenever this relay is deenergized. Also associated with section AB is a quick release relay D, and a device V for generating alternating train controlling current from a source of unidirectional current, In the form here shown, the device V comprises an inverted rotary converter having two field wind1-ngsl8 and 19, and an armature 17 provided with direct current 1nput terminals and G8, and alternating the battery E, over an input circuit which ineludes the winding of relay D, and which passes from battery E through wire 20, front contact 21 of relay 0, wires 22 and 23, winding cf relay D,;w1re 2e, input terminal 65; of

converter V, armature 17 of converter V, in-.

put terminal 68 of converter V, wire 25, front contact 26. of relay C, and wire 27' back to battery E. Under these conditons, converter V runs at a speed whiclris dependent upon the "field-"excitation of the converter, and the train controlling currentgenerated by the converter will have a corresponding frequency. The field excitation of converter V may be controlledin'any convenient man ner. As here shown, the field excitation: of

converter V is controlled by the relay C, and by the track relay R for the section to the right of point B. When relays C and R are both energized, the field windings of converter V areconnected in series, and current flows from battery E through wire 20, front contact2l of relay C, wires 22, 28, 64, and 29,

front contact 30 ofrelayR wire. 31, field Winding 19 of converter V wire 32, front contact 33 of relayR wire 34, front contact 35 of relay R wire 36, field winding18 of converter V, wire 37, front contact 38 of relay R, wires 39 and 40, front contact 26 of relay C, and wire 27 back to battery E. Under these conditions, converterV runs at its normal speed, and the current generated by the converter has its normal frequency. l/Vhen relay C is energized, and relay R is de-energized, the field windings of converter 'V are con'nected'in multiple. Current then flows from battery E through wire 20, front contact 21 of relay C, wires 22, 28, and 64, back contact 3llrof relay R wire 31, field winding 19 of converter V, wire 32, back contact 33 of relay'R wires 4:1 and 40, front contact'26 of relay C, and wire 27 baclcto battery E; Current also flows from battery E through wire 20, front contact 21 of relay C, wires 22, 28, and 42, back contact 35 of relay R, wire 36, field winding 18 of converter V, wire 37, back contact 38 of relay R wires43, 39, and 40, front contact 26 of relay G, and wire 27 back to battery E. Under these pomditions, converter V runs at a re- Miibd, and the train controlling current generated by the converter has a reduced am ae y ,15. pointed out hereinbefore, relay D is 1 iiicluded in the input circuit for converter V, and the relay is designed in such manner thata current which is slightly in excess of thetnormal no load current for converter V is required to operaterelay D. \Vhe'n the inmfl at circuit for converter V becomes closed. e'iriitial rush of current which is supplied to converter V is'sufficiently large to operate After relay D has become closed, trhdnfcoritrolling current is supplied to the w of transformer T from converter 1 er a circuit which may be traced from terminal 66 of converter V, through 4%fro'nt contact 45 of relay D, wires 46, I 'ffltpd lil, primary 5 of transformer '1, wires ana 49, front contact 50 of relay D, and

back to output ternainal 67 of conemery; lhe train controlling current supplied to the mile from converter V may be used to. control train carried governing apparatus in ailfisuitable manner. e

ifl a, frequencywhich is different from either N tilie'nbrmal 6r reduced fre uencies of the train controlling current supp ied to primary 5.

'Ashere shown, the immediate source of such,

""signalin current is a pair of line wires 7 and 8 w ich are supplied with current from an alternator G. In actual practice, the line 7 and 8. will usually also supply curf riitito other apparatus not shown 1n the but which mightbe undesirably afy the presence, in the line wires, of currents other, than the signaling current. It is desirable therefore to connect the line wires 7 and 8 with the primary 5 of transformer T in such manner that there can he no transfer of energy from converter V to line wires 7 and 8. To accomplish this result, I have connected the line wires 7 and 8 with theprimary 5 of transformer T over a normal circuit which is controlled by relay C, and which passes from .line wire 7 through t5 Wire 9, back contact 10 of relay G, wires 11 and 12, rimary 5 of transformer T, wires 13 "and 14, ack contact 15 of relay C, and wire ,16 back to line wire 8. This circuit is closed bnlywhen relay C is tie-energized, and there n0 cannot, therefore,

be any transfer of energy from converter V to line wires 7 and 8 over this circuit, because, when converter V is operating, relay C is energized, and this circuit is open.

C3 The reference character S designates a slow primary 5 of transformer T is also{ lied at times with signaling current havcncrgized or (la-energized.

release relay which is connected with a hattery F over front contacts 52 and 53 of relay D. Due to the slow release characteristics of relay S, if relay D is closed and then opened, the front contacts of relay S will remain closed for a short interval of time after relay D is opened. During this interval of time the line Wires 7 and 8 are connected with the primary 5 of transformer T over an aux- '11; will be noted that whenthis circuit is closed, converter V is disconnected from primary 5 of transformer T at front contacts and ofrelay D, and it is therefore impossible for current from converter V to he supplied to line wires'7 and 8 over this circuit.

' As shown in the drawing. track section A-Bis unoccupied,and relay R is energized.

Relay C is therefore de-energized so that converter V is at rest. and the rails of section ib-B are supplied with signaling current from lin'e wires 7 and 8 over back contacts 10 and 15 of relay C; Slow release relay S is deenergized; and the auxiliary circuit for primary 5 of transformer T is open at front contacts 57 and 60 of this relay.

l I will now assume that a train enters sectron*li-B. Track relay R then becomesdeenergized, and 'the circuitfor approach relay C isclbsed atback contact 6 of relay B. When relay C picks up,- the supply of signaling current-to the primary 5 of transformer T is interrupted because the line wires 7 and 8 are disconnectedfrom the primary 5 of transformer'T at back contacts 10 and 15 of relay CKAtthe same time, the input circuit for rotary converter V is closed'at front contacts 26"and 21 of relay C, and converter V v starts to operate. The initial rush of current which flows in the. input circuit for converter V picks up relay D, and the rails of section ABfare then supplied with train controlling current of normal 'or reduced frequency dependingupon whether track relay R is Since section A-B is occupied by a train, the wheels and axles of which short circuit the secondary 3 of transformer T, converter V draws an input current which is considerably in excess of its no-load value, and it follows that relay D is held up as long as the train occupies section AB. When relay D is picked up, slow release relay S is energized, but the auxiliary circuit for the primary 5 of transformer T is then open at back contacts 55 and 62 of relay D. It -will be apparent, therefore, that when a train enters section A- B, the primary 5 of transformer T is supplied with train controlling current from converter V, but the "interrupted at back contacts and of reeanne's "supply of signaling current to primary 5 of transformer T from line wires and 8 is then lav C. and'front contacts and62 of rela v r r y D,-so that it is impossible for train controlling current from converter V to be supplied to line wires 7 and 8 under these conditlons.

now, thetrain passes out of section B, the input current drawn by converter V wili' decrease toits no load value because the secondary 3' o'ftransiormer T is no longer short circuited by the wheels and axles of the train. Relay D then opens because, as was previously pointed out, a current which is sli a e V is required to operate relay \"then front contacts db and 5,0 of relay'D open, converter V is di connected from prianary 5 of transformer T1; and when front contacts52- and of relayDopen, relay S becomes {l-'6DGI'glZGCl. Relay S does not mmediately open its front contacts, however,

7 because ofits slow release characteristics. As a result,'the auxiliary circuit for primary 5 of transformer is closed for the short interval of time necessary for the front con tacts 5'? and 0f relay S to open-after the back contacts lie-and 62 of relay D are closed,

and the primary 5 oftransformer T is supplied with. signaling current during this interval of time from line wires 7 and 8. This signaling current picks up trackrela-y R When track relay R vpicksup, relay G becomes de-energized, thereby opening the input circuit for converter V at front contacts 26 and 21 of relay C, and closing the normal circuit for the primaryb of transformer T at back contacts 10 and 15 Pt-t'is then held up by. the signaling current supplied to the rails fromiline wires 7 and 8 over the normal circuit,'and the apparatus'is maintained in the position in which it is shown in the drawing until'the' next trin enters section AB to again de-energize relay R i It follows that with apparatus my invention it is impossible for the train controlling current to be supplied to'the line wires which supply the signaling current to transformer T. Furthermore, it is impossi ble for signalingcurrent to be supplied to" the device which supplies the train controlling current to transformer T. These features are particularly valuable where signaling apparatus other than the track relay is supplied with energy from th'e'source of signaling current, and where the train controlling'current, being of a different frequency from thesignaling current, would, if permitted to be supplied to such signaling apparatus, cause undesirable operation of's'uch apparatus. p 7 I it should be pointed out that the apparatus here used to supply train controlling currents to the trackway receives energy from htl in excess of the no load current for l a W 'with the direct current of: relay C. Relayembodying a' source' of direct current. This feature of my invention-is particularly valuable when it is desired to supply the rails withtr'ain controlling current in territory where alter nating current is not available.

- Although I have herein shown and de scribed onlyone formof railway trafiic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it IS understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without'departing from the, spirit and scope of my invention'. 7

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaimis:

7 1'. In combination, a stretch of railway track, an inverted rotary converter for. said stretch comprising an armature and two field windings, means connected with said armature for supplying the rails of said stretch 'witlrtrain"controlling current, a'sou'rce of unidirectional current connected with said armature, and means controlled by traflic conditions. in advance of said stretch for at times supplying current to the field windings of said converter in series, and 'for at other times supplying current to the field windings of said convertervin multiple.

2. In combination, a stretch ofrailway track, an inverted rotary converter having its alternating current output terminals connected with the rails of said stretch for supplying saidrails with train controlling current and provided with two field windings, a source of unidirectional?current connected armature win dings of said converter, andmeans controlled by trafiic conditions for at times supplying current from said source to the field windings of said converter connected in series'and for at other times supplying current from said source to the field windings of saidconverter connected in multiple. A 3. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a rotary converter for said stretch comtimes supplying current to the field windings of said converter connected in series.

4. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relay controlled by said track relay, a source of signaling-current, means controlled by'said approach relay for at times supplying the rails of said stretch with currentfrom said source'of sigllt) li-IO is controlling current for at times supplying the ruling current, a source of train controlling controlled by said approach relay,

and nieanaincluding a contact arranged to be med'mfhen the rails of said stretch are suppliedwlth current from said source of train v, irailsjoi t to stretch ,with current from said scum of train controlling current.

fii-iluicombination, a stretch of railway n mia track relay connected with the rails ,1 William!!! Bald source of train controllingcur- Mnnttothirails of said stretch is interrupted, a oolmmofsignaling current, and means con- ,r'leaserelay tor. at times supplying their-ails ofiSa-iubstmtchwith current from said source offsi ling current. i 6w ngcombination, a stretch of railway mg aitraokrelay connected with the rails cl-"stretch, an approach relaycontrolled said'tmck relay, a source of train controlhng ourrent controlled by said approach rel "imeansqfor at times supplying the rails stretch with current from said source said first contact, a second contact tnliinoontrolling current, a first contact hgzri'ail' t obe closed when current from said 80111791365 train controlling current is being a an t ed to the rails, a slow release relay con- :to lie-"closed when the supply of a current from said source of train controlling current to the rails of said stretch is inter- PM controlled by said approach relay for normally s plying the rails ofsaid stretch with i rolusaid source of signaling current, means controlled by said second contact and sa d slow release relay for also supplyingtherails of saidstretch at times with current from said source of signaling current. 1 ,7. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relay controlled 5:) said track relay,

a source of train cona trolling current controlled by said approach 1 lay means for at times supplying the rails o and stretch withcurrent from said source of train controlling current, a quick release "relayarranged to be closed when current from said source of train controlling eurreutis being supplied to the rails, a slow release relay controlled by said quick release 1 relay, 9. source of signaling current, means controlled by said approach relay for nor- 'ai: m'

said second contact and said slow ,asource of signaling current. means.

anally supplying the rails with current from said source of signaling current, and other means controlled by said quick release relay and said slow release relay for supplying the rails at other times with current from said source of signaling current.

8. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a source of alternating signalin current, an approach relay, means control ed by said aproach relay for supplying the rails of sai stretch at times with current from said source, an inverted rotary converter controlled by said approach relay, means controlled by traflic conditions in said stretch for at times supplying the rails of said stretch with alternating current from said converter in such manner that current from said converter is prevented from being supplied to said source, atrack relay connected with the rails of said stretch and responsive to the current supplied to the rails from said source but not responsive to the current supplied to the rails from said converter, and means controlled by said track relay for controlling said approach relay. V

9. In; combination, a stretch of railway track, an approach relay, a track transformer having its secondary connected with the rails of said stretch, a source of alternating signaling current, means for supplying the primary of said transformer with signaling current from said source when said approach relay is tie-energized, an inverted rotary converter, means for supplying unidirectional current tosa'id converter when said approach relay isenergized, means for supplying the primary of said transformer with alternatmg current from said converter when said approach relay'is energized and said stretch is occupied, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch and responsive to the alternating current supplied to the rails from said source but not responsive to the alternating current supplied to the rails from said converter, and means controlled by said track relay for controlling said approach relay.

' 10. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relay controlled by said track relay, a track transformer com prising a primary and a secondary and having its secondary connected with the rails of said stretch, a source of signaling current, a first circuit for the primary of said transformer including said source and a back contact of said approach relay, a quick release relay, a slow release relay controlled by said quick release relay; a second circuit for the primary of-said transformer including said source, a back contact of said quick release relay, and a front contact of said slow release relay; 0. device for generating train governmg current from a source of unidirectional current, an input circuit for said device including sai'd' quick release relay and a frontaat) contact of said approach relay, and a third circuit forthe primary of'said transformer supplied with alternating current from said device and including a front-contact of said quick release relay.

llnln combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, a track transformer having its secondary connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relay controlled by said track relay, a source of alternating signaling current connected with the primary of said transformer over a front contact of said approach relay, an inverted rotary converter, a quick release relay, an input circuit for said rotary converter including said quick release relay and a front contact of'said approach relay, an output circuit for said converter including the primary of said transformer and a front contact of said quick re lease relay, a slow release relay controlled by said quick release relay, and means for at times connecting the primary of said transformer with said source over a back contact of said quick release relay and a front contact of said slow release relay.

12. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relaycontrolled by said track relay, an inverted rotary converter, means elfective when said approach relay is energized for supplying said converter with unidirectional current, a quick release relay arranged to be closed when and only when the unidirectional current supplied to said converter exceeds a predetermined amount, a track transformer having its secondary connected with the rails of said stretch and having its primary connected with said converter over front contacts of said quick release relay, a slow release relay controlled by said quick releaserelay, and a source of signaling current connected at times with the primary of said transformer over a front contact of said approach relay and connected at 'other times with the primary of said transformer over a. back contact of said quick release relay and a front contact of said slow release relay.

13. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of said stretch, an approach relay controlled by a back contact of said track relay, an in verted rotary converter, a quick release relay, a source of unidirectional current connected with the input terminals of said converter in series with said quick release relay and a front contact of said approach relay,

a track transformer having its secondary connected with the rails of said stretch and having its. primary connected with the output terminals of said converter in series with a front contact of said quick release relay, a slow release relay arranged to be energized when said quickrelease relay is energized, a source of 'slgnallng current, 'means for at timeswconnecting'saidsource with the. priinary of said transformer over a first circuit which includesa front contactof said ap' proachrelay, and .meansfor at other times connecting. said source of signaling current with therprimary ofsaid transformer over a circuit which includesa back contact, of said qulclrrelease relay and a front,v contact of said slow release relay.

ing current of a particular frequency, an ap-- preach relay arranged to be energized when said track relayis de-energized, a source, of

alternating current. of thepa'rticular frequency to which the track relay is responsive, means controlled by a back contact of said approach relay for normally supplying the rails of said stretch with current from said source, an inverted rotary converter for generatin'gtrain controlling current having a frequency different from the fequency of the current supplied to the rails from said source, a quick release relay, an input circuit for said converter controlled by a front contact of said approach relay and including the winding of said quick release relay, means controlled by a. front contact of said quick release relay for supplying the rails of said stretch with train controlling current from said converter, a slow release relay controlled by a front contact of said quick release relay, and means controlled by a. back contact of said quick release relay and a front contact of said slow release relay for at times supplying the rails of said stretch with current from said source.

15. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a track relay connected with the rails of saidstretch and responsive to alternating current of a particular frequency, an approach relay controlled by said track relay, a source of alternating signaling current having the particular. frequency to which the trackrelay is responsive, means controlled by the approach relay for at times supplying the rails of said stretch with current from said source of signaling current, an inverted rotary converter for generating train controlling current having frequencies which are'difl'erent from the frequency of the signaling current and comprising an armature and. two field windings, a source of unidirectional'current, a quick release relay, means controlled by said approach relay and including the winding of said quick release relay for supplying the armature of said converter with current from said source of unitional current to the field windings of said approach relay and bytralfic conditions in advance of said stretch for at tlmes supplymg current from saidsource of umdn'ectiouihcurrent to the field windings of said converter connected in series and for at other tim supplying current from said source of uli'dilflflfionhl current to the field windings mi oonverterrconnected in multiple to clnwtliea-m'rent enerated by the converter to have respective y a normal or a reduced means controlled by the quick refor supplying train controlling frequency lebse: an}

a'gcurrmflufrom said converter to the rails of y, said stretch, a slow release relay controlled bgmaid quick release relay, and means conby said quick release relay and said slow relay for at times supplying the :zrailn of said stretch with current from said scum of signaling current. 7

ilintastimony whereof I aflix my si ature. i LEMUEL F. HOW RD. 

